Late Kalajdžić Equaliser Caps Algeria 3–3 Austria Thriller

Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City witnessed one of the matches of the entire group stage as Algeria and Austria served up a breathless six-goal thriller, the drama lasting until the very last kick as Saša Kalajdžić snatched a 3–3 draw deep into stoppage time.

It was Austria who drew first blood. Marko Arnautović, their experienced talisman, finished in the 28th minute to give the Europeans a deserved lead after a strong opening spell. Algeria, though, have attacking talent of their own, and they responded at the perfect moment — Rayan Belghali levelling right on the stroke of half-time in the 45th minute to send the sides into the break locked together and set up a compelling second half.

The second period crackled with tension and quality. Austria edged back in front in the 55th minute through Marcel Sabitzer, whose drive from midfield caught the eye, and for a spell it looked as though their greater control might prove decisive. But Algeria — inspired throughout by their captain — simply refused to be beaten.

Riyad Mahrez, the heartbeat of this Algerian side, equalised in the 60th minute to haul his team level for a second time. And as the match entered its frantic closing stages, the talisman delivered what appeared to be the decisive blow, finishing coolly in the 93rd minute to seemingly win it for Algeria in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. The Algerian bench emptied; their supporters roared.

It looked, for one delirious moment, like a famous victory. But this was a night that refused to stop giving. Austria, to their immense credit, had one final twist in them. With the clock deep into the sixth minute of stoppage time, Kalajdžić rose highest to level once more, breaking Algerian hearts and securing a 3–3 draw that neither set of players will quickly forget.

For Algeria, there is genuine agony at conceding so late after Mahrez had twice dragged them level and then seemingly won it. Yet there is pride, too, in a thrilling, front-foot attacking display that troubled a strong European side from start to finish. For Austria, the late equaliser is just reward for a team that refused to accept defeat even when the game looked lost.

A match that ebbed and flowed from the first whistle to the last, swinging one way and then the other, it was a reminder of exactly why the World Cup captivates like nothing else in sport. Both sides will reflect on what might have been — and on a contest that had everything.

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